Temples of North India

India’s contribution to the spiritual sphere of modern world is unique. From Vedic age, all that is pure and sublime in Nature’s creation have been objects of worship for the Indian. Our history of ancient tradition and culture interwoven in temple worship and pilgrimage. The lofty Himalayas, the sacred Ganga, the holy Cauvery, the crystal – like gangotri  have all been his cherished pilgrim spots.

India has rich cultural and historical heritage well preserved in its temple architecture and pilgrim sites. There are thousand of shrines, worship places and temples in North India dating back to hundreds of years. Many theories have been formulated to explain the existence of these holy sites in such a huge number, paving the path to attain salvation or “nirvana”. The statuary and adornment in these ancient temples of North India showcases one of the world’s foremost artistic heritages and also of the North India pilgrimage

This pilgrim-friendly guide focuses on the many important holy shrines that these northern states, providing in a nutshell the significance of each of these places and the interesting legends associated with them. In order to minimize the travel hardships of the pilgrims, a sincere attempt has been made to arrange places according to their proximity to important towns and cities.

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In the land of the ‘Om’ - Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

An island shaped like the most sacred of Hindu symbols, the Om, a mountainous region covered with ancient temples, the sacred Narmada flowing on either side, smoothening the rough rocks into pebbles to be carried away by pilgrims and venerated as Shiva Lingams, Omkareshwar is all that and more.

Home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingams, the island of Omkareshwar is venerated almost as much as the lingam itself. 

There are two main temples at Omkareshwar, one on the mainland and one on the island. The island temple is credited to Mandhata, an ancestor of Rama, who installed the lingam and built the temple. While most consider this one to be the Jyotirling, the place abounds in myth and legend. According to one, this lingam is believed to have split into two and installed itself on the other bank too. According to others, it is the temple of Mamleshwar (also called Amaleshwar or Amareshwar) on the mainland which is older and the real Jyotirling. 

Omkareshwar Temple

Mamleshwar the Jyotirling: 

While the island temple has received much attention in the past and has been renovated recently, the Mamleshwar temple certainly looks much older and more beautiful too. The Mamleshwar temple is also more endearing thanks to the absence of the pandas (priests) who are the most prominent feature of the Omkar Mandhata temple on the island. We visited the Mamleshwar temple at night before the final aarti was performed, and had to literally hunt out a priest to perform abhishek to the lord, and the one we finally found was so thrilled by all the items we had brought for the puja that he happily did the elaborate puja with a smile on his face and asked for money only when we were done.

Omkar Mandhata: 

For a long time, the only way to approach the island was by boat. Now, there are two bridges, one connecting the boat landing area to the Omkar Mandhata temple, the other connecting the two temples — Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar. No vehicles are allowed on the island, so both are only foot bridges. The Narmada which once flowed fast and furious along this stretch is now a tame river, thanks to a dam mired in controversy, of which one gets a wonderful view from the bridge. 

The entire island is a hilly area, and it is these hills which give it the shape of the Om. Just a few steps take us to the temple, which is visible from quite a distance. 

Chitrapat Kshetra

At a lower level, just below the main temple is a small entrance to a cave. Today, the inner parts of the cave are no longer accessible, but at the entrance is an image of the sage who made this cave his home — Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada — the guru of Adi Shankaracharya. It was to this cave that the young Shankara came, having given up his home, seeking the preceptor who would lead him to the light. It is here that he came as a young boy, swimming across the furious waters of the Narmada, and left, a sanyasi with a mission! In spite of the rampant commercialization of Omkareshwar, this small cave has maintained its sanctity, the sanctity that can be felt at once as you enter the cave!

Omkareshwar

The roads are lined with shops, big and small, selling all the paraphernalia of Indian prayer rituals, but the main commodity in these shops is are the Shiva Lingams. It is a belief that every stone found in the Narmada is a Shiva Lingam, and every few yards sits a child or a woman selling stones picked from the depths of the river. Prices start from Rs 21 onwards and especially coveted (and expensive) are the black stones with a white line passing through, which signifies the Upavita, or sacred thread. 

Omkareshwar Parikrama: 

While it is for the temples that most pilgrims visit Omkareshwar, the most interesting thing about the island is the island itself. With its unique shape, the island itself has been venerated, and over centuries, scores of temples have been built on it. The ancients not just built the temples, but also made a path so that one could visit all the temples while circumambulating the entire island. This is called the Omkareshwar Parikrama, and has been recently revived by MP Tourism. 

The Parikrama path starts near the bridge and moves along the Narmada till it joins its tributary, the Kaveri (so called, even though it is the same river, diverging from the main river at the other end of the island), passing through temples old and new, some standing tall and proud, others in ruins, winding its way along the mountains, now climbing to yet another temple, now descending to the bank of the river, finally culminating at the temple consecrated by Mandhata. The well paved road is about nine kms long, and takes, at the most, three and a half hours to cover, including rest stops at the various temples. It is quite an easy trek, considering that my son, who is six and my father-in-law, who is 70, both completed it without too much trouble!

There are many places of interest along the path. The first is the sangam or confluence of the two tributaries of the Narmada. This is, for a change, clean and perfect for a bath. The clear water with rounded pebbles forming the river bed invites us to sink our feet into it and enjoy a relaxed dip, while the more devout pilgrims (few, at the best of times, since it is almost an hour’s walk from the bridge) offer prayers. 

Temple in India

An interesting custom is followed here. Big and small stones are collected from the river and piled up along the bank with prayers to the goddess of the river. One of the villagers there told us that people stacked these stones in the hope that they would be able to build houses as easily as they stacked these stones! We found these stacked up stones not just at the confluence, but all along the river bank, in fact, all over the Parikrama path!

Then there is the Gori Somnath Mandir, an ancient temple where the lingam is a huge one, jet black in colour. Legend tells us that this lingam was once pure white, and that one could see his past life just by standing in front of it. Then came Aurangzeb, and as soon as he appeared in front of the lingam, it turned black! This is one of the few temples in the area still intact to a large extent. Though many of the beautiful sculptures have fallen down, it still stands tall and proud among the ruins of others which have not been as fortunate!

As we climb down the final steps which lead us to the end of the Parikrama, our aching legs yearn for a rest, but we feel fresh inside, and can’t help thinking that we arrived at Omkareshwar to see one of the Jyotirlings, and were appalled with the rampant commercialisation, but returned with so much more, an inner peace that comes from a truly spiritual experience!

How to reach

Omkareshwar is situated about 65 kms from Indore and 256 kms from Bhopal. The road from Indore takes us through the mighty Satpura ranges, and winds its way along the Ghats before opening up into a plain covered with cotton fields and irrigated by the Narmada. The journey from Indore to Ujjain takes a little more than an hour by car and about one-and-a-half hours by bus.

Direction to Omkareshwar

There are plenty of buses available on this route, both, those run by the MPRTDC as well as private ones. They can certainly not be classified as luxury, but they are comfortable and adequate for the short journey. A car hire for the one way trip costs about Rs 1200.

मतंगेस्वर मंदिर (Matangeshwar mahadev - Temple)

खजुराहो के मंदिर वेसे तो दुनिया भर में काम कला के मंदिरों के रूप में विख्यात है| किन्तु यंहां का मतंगेस्वर शिव मंदिर हिन्दुओं की आस्था का बड़ा केंद्र है |यही एक मात्र एसा मंदिर है जहाँ आदि काल से निरंतर पूजा होती चली आ रही है | चंदेल राजाओं द्वारा नोवी सदी में बंनाये गए इस मंदिर में के शिव लिंग के नीचे एक एसी मणि है जो हर मनोकामना पूरी करती है \ कभी यहाँ भगवान् राम ने भी पूजा की थी | शिव रात्रि के दिन यहाँ शिव भक्तों का तांता लगा रहता | खजुराहो के सभी मंदिरों में सबसे ऊँची जगती पर बने इस मंदिर में जो भी आता है वो भक्ति में डूब जाता है चाहे वो हिन्दुस्तानी हो या विदेशी | कहते है की यह शिव लिंग किसी ने बनवाया नहीं है बल्कि यह स्वयंभू शिव लिंग है \ १८ फिट की मूर्ति है जितना ऊपर है उतना ही नीचे भी है |ये मूर्ति प्रति वर्ष तिल के बराबर बढती भी है 

मतंग ऋषि करते थे पूजा

यंहां मतंग ऋषि इस शिव लिंग की पूजा करते थे | इसका नाम मतंगेस्वर स्वयं भगवान् श्री राम ने मतंग ऋषि के नाम पर रखा था |हमे यहाँ मिले यमुना प्रसाद मिश्रा [योगी] जिनका जीवन ही यहाँ की आराधना के बाद बदल गया सिपाही से वे योगी बन गए |वे बताने लगे यहाँ की महिमा ,यंहां पर मूर्ति पहले से स्थापित थी ,त्रेता युग में इसका उलेख मिलता है ,रामायण में उल्लेख मिलता है ,यहाँ मतंग ऋषि थे उनसे मिलने भगवान् राम आए थे ,उन्होने भगवान शिव की पूजा अर्चना की और उन्होने मतंग के नाम पर भगवान शिव को मतंगेस्वर नाम दिया 

मरकत मणि :

यंहां के चंदेल राजाओं को मरकत मणि चन्द्र वंशी होने के कारण विरासत में मिली थी | चंदेल राजाओं ने इस मणि की सुरक्षा के लिए और नियमित पूजा अर्चना के लिए इसे शिव लिंग के नीचे रखवा दिया था ,लोक मान्यता है की जो भी आदमी मरकत मणि की पूजा करता है उसकी हर मनोकामना पूर्ण होती है |इंद्र के द्वारा मरकत मणि युधिस्टर को दी गई थी , आगे जाकर यशो वर्मन ,चन्द्र वर्मन के पास रही है उन्होने उसकी सुरक्षा करने के हिसाब से वा पूजा अर्चना होती रहे इसलिए शिव लिंग के नीचे स्थापित करा दिया था |

आज खजुराहो के इस मंदिर में हर कोई एक मनोकामना लेकर आता है ,भोले भंडारी हर किसी की मनोकामना पूर्ण भी करते है एसा विश्वास यंहां के लोगों का है |लोगों की आस्थाए है तभी तो यंहां हर शिव रात्रि ,अमावश्या पर यहाँ हजारों की संख्या में श्रद्धालु जुडते है |पीड़ियों से यहाँ पुजारी का दायित्व निभाने वाले बाबूलाल गोतम यहाँ भक्तों के भाव काफी नजदीकी से देख रहे है ,वे बातों ही बातों में बताने लगे की किस तरह लोग यहाँ आकर अपनी मनोकामना व्यक्त करते है ,लोग उल्टे हाथे लगाकर अपनी मनोकामना व्यक्त करते है ,मनोकामना पूर्ण होने के बाद सीधे हाथे लगाते है |पंडित जी कब भावुक हो गए पता ही नहीं चला ,कहने लगे हमारे परिवार की प्रगति की जो रफ़्तार है वह इन्ही की कृपा से है |

खजुराहो के ही राम विशाल दीक्षित का काम पर्यटकों को घुमाना है ,उनकी आँखों के सामने आज भी वह द्रश्य घूम जाता है जब वो कुछ पाने और बनने के लिए खजुराहो आया था ,पर हताशा में उसे ३०० रु की नोकरी करना पड़ी तभी वह भी मतंगेस्वर के दरबार में फरियाद लेकर पहुंचा तब से आज तक उसने पीछे मुड़कर नहीं देखा ,वो अपनी तरह से अपनी बात समझाता है |देखिये ये १८ फिट uncha शिव लिंग है जितना ऊपर है उतना ही नीचे है उसके नीचे मणि लगी है ,मणि के सामने आप मनसा वाचा कर्मणा से आप जाते है तो आपकी मनोकामना पूर्ण होगी |, जब में खजुराहो आया मुझे अंग्रेजी बोलना आती नहीं थी,में किसीको जनता नहीं था | मेने इनके दर्शन किये | इनकी कृपा से आज खजुराहो में मेरा मकान है ,गाड़ी है ,सब कुछ है|

में बहुत देर तक लोगों की आस्था और विश्वास को तोलने का प्रयाश करता रहा ,यह समझ नहीं पा रहा था की किस पर विश्वास करूँ और किस पर ना करूँ | तभी मुझे लगा की शंका का समाधान ए.एस.आइ. वालों से किया जा सकता है \ हम पहुंचे राहुल तिवारी के पास वे यहाँ के अधिकारी है ,कहने लगे की हाँ यहाँ कई तरह की किवदंतियां है ,लोगों की आस्थाएं बहुत है ,आसपास के बहुत सारे लोग यहाँ आते है |

Hindu City - Hidden in secret - Angkor Wat

Ankor Wat

One of the most archeological site of South East Asia, stretching over 400 km2 along with the forested area is Angkor which is the name formally given to the region of Cambodia which served as the base of Khmer empire that bloomed from 13th to 19th century A.D. The word Angkor is actually originated from the Sanskrit word "nagara" which literally resembles a city.The Khmer Hindu monarch King Jayavarman II who called himself as the universal monarch and god-king of Cambodia began the Angkorian period by 800 A.D

Sunset at Ankor Wat

The Angkor Civilization or Khmer Civilization is the name given to an important civilization of southeast Asia, including all of Cambodia and southeastern Thailand and northern Vietnam, with its classic period dated roughly between 800 to 1300 AD. It is also the name of one of the medieval Khmer capital cities, containing some of the most spectacular temples in the world.

It is actually located 200 miles north-west of current capital  city Phnom Penh and is surrounded by jungle. The nearby town of Siem Riep has become a tourist destination on account of Angkor. The city of Angkor is filled with more than a thousand temples and other architectural accomplishments but the greatest sight is the temple of Angkor Wat. 

History 

The ancestors of the Angkor civilization are thought to have migrated into Cambodia along the Mekong River during the 3rd millennium BC. Their original center, established by 1000 BC, was located on the shore of large lake called Tonle Sap, but a truly sophisticated (and enormous) irrigation system allowed the spread of the civilization into the countryside away from the lake.

Hidden temple in Ankor Wat

The Khmer society was a cosmopolitan blend of Pali and Sanskrit rituals resulting from a combined Hindu and High Buddhist belief system, probably the effects of Cambodia's role in the extensive trade system connecting Rome, India and China during the last few centuries BC.The Khmer society was led by an extensive court system with both religious and secular nobles, artisans, fishermen and rice farmers, soldiers, and elephant keepers; Angkor was protected by an army using elephants. The end of Angkor came in the mid-14th century, and was partly brought about by a change in religious belief in the region, from Hinduism and High Buddhism to more democratic Buddhist practices. At the same, an environmental collapse is seen by some scholars as having a role in the disappearance of Angkor.

Dawn at Ankor Wat

The place is famous for several stone temples ranging in scale from nondescript piles of brick rubble scattered through rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, said to be the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored, and together they comprise the most significant site of Khmer architecture. Visitor numbers approach two million annually. In the year 2007 the place was declared as the largest preindustrial city of the world covering an urban area of about 3000 square kilomaters.

Sunset at Ankor

The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees at Angkor today, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.

Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

About Temples

Full view Ankor Wat

Many of the temples of the area are Buddhist, but Angkor Wat is a Hindu temple dedicated to the God Vishnu. The temple is surrounded by a moat and encompasses an area of 1,500m by 1,300m (approximately 1 square mile). There are numerous smaller buildings that make up the Angkor Wat compound, and there is elaborate sculpture and carving on every surface. The bas-relief carvings show scenes from mythology, ancient battles, and other aspects of Khmer life. The 5 rounded towers give the temple a distinctive profile. Angkor Wat took 37 years to complete with a work force of more than 50,000 men.

The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.Dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. It was a holy place for many. But soon in the ruling of King Jayavaraman VII decided that the Gods of Hinduism had failed him. Buddhism was prevalent in the construction of Angkor Thom, a new nearby capital. The Hindu decorations and deities were replaced by Buddhist carvings, statues, and other art, when it became a Buddhist shrine. 

Ankor

The entire city where Angkor Wat is located extends fifteen miles (24 kilometers) from east to west and eight miles (13 kilometers) north to south. Around the temples the terrain is landscaped by and intricate system of reservoirs, canals, and moats that were used for water control and irrigation. The whole system symbolized the Hindu thought of a central mountain, Mt. Meru, a dwelling place for the Gods. Angkor Wat's five central towers represent the peaks of the holy mountain. The enormous moat surrounding the shrine suggests the oceans at the edge of the world. 

The GAP - Great Angkor Project conducted recent work using radar remote sensing applications to map the city and the surroundings. They result showed that the city covers an area of about 3000 square kilometers and consists of several temples. agricultural farms, residences and hydraulic network and thus making it a world's largest pre-industrial city of the earth.

Architecture

Conventional theories presume the lands where Angkor stands were chosen as a settlement site because of their strategic military position and agricultural potential. Alternative scholars, however, believe the geographical location of the Angkor complex and the arrangement of its temples was based on a planet-spanning sacred geography from archaic times. Using computer simulations it has been shown that the ground plan of the Angkor complex – the terrestrial placement of its principal temples - mirrors the stars in the constellation of Draco at the time of spring equinox in 10,500 BC. While the date of this astronomical alignment is far earlier than any known construction at Angkor, it appears that its purpose was to architecturally mirror the heavens in order to assist in the harmonization of the earth and the stars. Both the layout of the Angkor temples and iconographic nature of much its sculpture, particularly the asuras (‘demons’) and devas (‘deities’) are also intended to indicate the celestial phenomenon of the precession of the equinoxes and the slow transition from one astrological age to another.

Style and Architecture

Temple

The Angkor wat temple is the prime example of Khmer architecture. By the 12th century Khmer architects had become skilled and confident in the use of sandstone  as the main building material. Most of the visible areas are of sandstone blocks, while laterite was used for the outer wall and for hidden structural parts. Angkor Wat has drawn praise above all for the harmony of its design, which has been compared to the architecture of ancient Greece or Rome. 

Things to see

The city was accordingly built around a central temple on a hill, which symbolized Mount Meru, the home of the gods.The central tower of each temple also represented Mount Meru. The outer walls of the temple represented the mountains that were believed to encircle the cosmos.

River side Ankor

The many waterways, canals and moats of Angkor served a dual purpose: they symbolized the waters of the cosmos and improved water control and rice irrigation.

Angkor Wat consists of five central shrines, encircled by a moat and three galleries. On the west side of the complex a paved causeway, leading over the moat and under a magnificent portico, extends for a distance of a quarter of a mile to the chief entrance of the main building.

The western exterior forecourt of the main temple contains two "libraries," or smaller temple structures. As of 2004, the library on the left was under renovation by a Japanese archeological team.The area surrounding the exterior moat is a lawned park, incongruous in Cambodia.

Bramha Ankor

Khmer decoration, profuse but harmonious, consists chiefly in the representation of gods, men and animals, which are displayed on every flat surface. Combats and legendary episodes are often depicted; floral decoration is reserved chiefly for borders, mouldings and capitals. 

Vishnu

Sandstone of various colours was the chief material employed by the Khmers; limonite was also used. The stone was cut into huge blocks which are fitted together with great accuracy without the use of cement.

Visitors to Angkor Wat take away varied impressions of these amazing temples. Some gain insight into Buddhism or archaeology, and some relate their experience as connecting with the spiritual energy of the temples. The one common thread, though, is the visitors' impressions of sunrise and sunset. 

The skies over Angkor always put on a show; if you time it right, you can see the dawn or the day's afterglow framed in temple spires or glowing off the main wat. Here are a few hints for catching the magic hours at the temples:

Monks Walking

• The sunrise and sunset views from the upper terraces of Angkor Wat itself are some of the best, though it's a tough climb for some. Ignore half-hearted entreaties by staff to leave after the first clears of the horizon at sunset; stay for the afterglow.
• It's a bit crowded, but the views from Phnom Bakeng (Bakeng Hill), just a short drive past the entrance to Angkor Wat, is stunning at both sunrise and sunset. It's a good little climb up the hill, and those so inclined can go by elephant.
• The open area on the eastern side of Banteay Kdei looks over one of Angkor's many reservoirs, this one full and a great reflective pool for the rising glow at sunrise.
• For the best view of the temples, hands down, contact Helicopters Cambodia Ltd., at tel. 023/213-706. For a hefty fee, you can see the sites from any angle you choose.

Lost and Rediscovered

Angkor was abandoned in the mid 1400s when the Thai armies invaded. With few records surviving from that time, there are no solid facts as to the historical events that took place. It's believed that the capital was moved to Phnom Penh around 1434.

Painting

The ruins of Angkor Wat were rediscovered in 1860 by a French botanist, Henri Mouhot, who was exploring the Cambodian jungles. This lost civilization was of great interest to Western archaeologists and historians who flocked to the site to learn more about the Khmer. Before the ruins were found, even the locals thought the existence of the temple city was likely a myth. Some who had seen the city said that it had been built by the Gods themselves

After the city of Angkor fell to invaders, Angkor Wat receded into the jungle but continued as a Buddhist temple and a pilgrimage site over the centuries.Angkor Wat is the best preserved example of Khmer architecture in Cambodia and is so grand in design that some rank it among the seven wonders of the world.

The historical and mysterious beauty of the archeological city Angkor is a very familiar tourist spot and the culture and religious nature of the temple is well preserved by the visitors and also by the local settlers. The historical story related behind the establishment of the city and the temple is simply inspiring and interesting and these temples serve as the witness of the myths.

ANKOR WAT

Vishnu Temple - treasure of stone hidden in the jungles (Angkor Wat)

Ancient Indian Temple - Angkor Wat - Cambodia

In the north-east of Cambodia, 300 km from its capital Phnom Penh, can be found the capital of the ancient Khmer empire, Angkor. Hidden during centuries in the middle of the jungle, it was totally isolated from the rest of the world until the year 1860 when French missionaries discovered it.

Angkor

The origin of this city is placed in the reign of Jayavarman ll. (810-850 AD), founder of the Khmer Empire, who initiated the cult of the Hindu deities, and the splendour lasted till approximately the year 1225. The architectural complex, which occupies an extension of 400 km2, is composed of monumental temples built during this period and are a jewel of Indian art. In 1992 the UNESCO named the entire monumental complex of Angkor as forming the Patrimony of Mankind.

The main temples temple groups are Angkor Thom, Ta Prom and Angkor Wat. The oldest ones were built with bricks, in the subsequent ones laterite was used, a coloured mud stone, and the most recent are of sandstone.

What is most striking about the Temple of Ta Prom, the only one that has not been restored, is that nature has been gaining territory and the trees, their enormous roots have invaded the monuments, forming a part of the sculpture complex. In Angkor Thom the temple Bayon is found, which was built in the X11 century under the reign of Jayavarman V11, it has a moat of 100 metres depth and an extension of 12 km, which protected a population of around one million persons.

Indian got statue in Angkor

Its tower of 45 m height is crowned by four enormous sculpted heads and surrounded by 54 minor towers, each of them with four smiling heads that, supposedly, represent the king himself.

The most representative temple of the entire complex is the so called Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu, ordered to be built by the king Suryavarnam II, who reigned between the years 1131 and 1150 AD It is calculated that for the construction of this temple the same quantity of stone was used as for the construction of the big Egyptian pyramid of Cheops, in Gizeh. Thirty years were needed for the construction. This temple is oriented towards the West, contrary to the other temples, which are oriented towards the East. Five towers of perfect symmetry that represent the five hills of the mountain Meru, the house of the gods and the centre of the Hindu universe form it. A moat and three galleries surround the five central sanctuaries. It has the biggest relieves of the world, which narrate histories from the Hindu mythology. The whole complex occupies two square kilometres and is the biggest religious temple in the world.

The sculptures of the temple of Angkor Wat are in good condition since, after the decline of the ancient Khmer Empire, it became a Buddhist temple and was continuously maintained, which has helped in the conservation, contrary to the other temples of Angkor. What it has not escaped, as is also case of the great majority of monuments in the east, has been from plunder and pillage. Even the torsos of the relieves have been taken away, as can be seen in the images.

Complete Angkor Wat 

The history of Angkor Wat goes back to the second century after Christ, an epoch in which the reign of Funan, of Indian origin, was established. Indian traders settled in the area and during four centuries there was an age of prosperity and tranquillity. The site being located in the transit area between China and India, Hinduism and Chinese Buddhism influenced the habitants, which are reflected in their temples, bringing to mind those of the North of India and Nepal.

The reign of Funan fell in the year 600 against the reign of Chenla, ending commerce with India and the empire from Indonesia came to power. In the year 800 the reign of Kambuja was established, the head of which was Jayavarman I, who built several towns close to Angkor Wat, he was responsible for many social changes and increased his empire towards the north and the east. During centuries Kambuja lived a period of prosperity.

The King Suryavarnam, in the year 1000 planned the construction of the city of Angkor, a task continued by his successor, Udayadityavarnam II, who restored several temples and under whose reign Angkor became at the same time a sacred city and the centre of a vast irrigation system. The expansion lasted two more centuries, a period in which the temple of Angkor Wat was built. But in the beginning of the year 1200 the empires of Khmer and Angkor began to decay. The Thai empire emerged as the most powerful of the area and the conquests of the Khmer empire by the Thai empire lead to the definite abandoning of the city of Angkor. The forest became the master during centuries of many of these temples.

Panorama view of Angkor

Since the year 1908 the Conservatory of Angkor is responsible for the maintenance of the temples, depending on the Government of Cambodia. The civil war that lasted 30 years till the seventies, in which the Khmer Rouge massacred many Buddhists as a part of the social reorganisation, did not do much damage to the temples, several temples were moved to museums for their protection.

The temples currently are being restored with the collaboration of archaeologists from all over the world. But the world can today marvel once again at this masterpiece of stone, and among the ruins contemplate the passage of time and so much history and bygone eras.

Galtaji Temple in Jaipur - Rajasthan

Galtaji is a holy pilgrimage of India, located 10 kms away from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The vast complex of Galta Ji has several temples in it. The Temple of Galtaji is famous for its natural water springs. Set amidst the beautiful landscape, Galtaji Temple offers a picturesque view of the city. Galtaji is considered holy place, as Saint Galav spent his life meditating here. However, the temple was built much later by Diwan Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II, in the 18th Century.

Galta Ji Temple Jaipur

Location : Near Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, On Jaipur-Agra Highway

Built by: Diwan Rao Kriparam
Built in: 18th Century
Dedicated to: Sun God, Lord Hanuman/Balaji

Highlights: Fresh Water Springs

Galtaji Kund

The outstanding structure of the Temple looks more like a mansion or Haveli.

The complex of Galtaji has numerous temples, pavilions, natural springs and holy 'kunds'. Built in pink sandstone, Galtaji Temple appeals to the aesthetic sense of the visitors. The temple, dedicated to the Sun God, is the most famous temple built on the top of a hill. The temple is decked with rounded roofs, exquisitely carved pillars and painted walls. Out of all other temples, Hanuman temple stands out, being surrounded by hundreds of monkeys. Besidesall other attractions, Natural water springs draw special attention of the visitors.

Nagraj at Galtaji

The water of these springs is accumulated in the tanks or 'kunds'. In all, there are seven tanks, holiest being the Galta Kund, which never goes dry. It is considered auspicious to take bath in the holy waters of Galtaji. Thousands of people come every year to take a dip in the tanks to rinse out their sins. Makar Sankranti is regarded as a special day to take bath in the holy waters of Galtaji.

Hanuman Temple at Galtaji

Galtaji Temple is a prehistoric pilgrimage location, in a lush green landscape of nature. The location of temple is such that it provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding plains. The Galtaji Temple is a souvenir of the former age and a sacred pilgrimage of the Hindus. The tranquility of the Temple, attracts people from far and near, to visit it again and again.

Konark Sun Temple - Ancient Temples in India

Konark Sun Temple

Konark is one of the well known tourist attractions of Orissa. Konark, Konark houses a colossal temple dedicated to the Sun God. Even in its ruined state it is a magnificient temple reflecting the genius of the architects that envisioned and  built it. Bhubaneshwar, Konark and Puri constitute the Golden triangle of Orissa, visited in large numbers by pilgrims and tourists.

Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern

Sun Chariot

corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.

This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga  King Narasimha Deva  is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.

Legend has it that Samba, the king of Krishna and Jambavati entered the bathing chamber of Krishna’s wifes, and was cursed by Krishna with leprosy. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri. Accordingly Samba reached Konaditya Kshetra and discovered an image of Surya seated on the lotus, worshipped him and was relieved of his curse.

It is said that the temple was not completed as conceived because the foundation was not strong enough to bear the weight of the heavy dome. Local beleif has it that it was constructed in entirety, however its magnetic dome caused ships to crash near the seashore, and that the dome was removed and destroyed and that the image of the Sun God was taken to Puri.

Sungod

The Temple: 

The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved.  Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style.  There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.

Melakkadambur

The Melakkadambur Shiva temple, built in the form of a chariot during  the

age of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120),  is the earliest of this kind, and is still in a well preserved state.  It is believed that this temple set the pace for the ratha (chariot) vimana temples in India, as a distant descendant of Kulottunga I on the female line, and thefamous Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimha Deva, built the Sun Temple at Konark in the form of a chariot in the 13th century. Kulottunga Chola is also credited with having built the 

Suryanaar temple near Kumbhakonam. Temples dedicated to the Sun are not a common feature in the Tamil speaking region of the Indian subcontinent.

Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) - Rajasthan

Karni Mata temple in Deshnok, Rajasthan, India. The temple is also sometimes called “The Rat Temple”.

This Hindu temple is devoted to Karni Mata, a goddess who is said to have reincarnated her devotees into rats upon death. Today the temple is home to hundreds of rats which represent the reincarnated. Hindus come to worship at the temple and bring offerings of sweets to the rats. The rats are sacred, and it is said that if you kill a rat (by accidentally stepping on it), you must replace the rat with its weight in silver.

(The Temple Facade)

Because of the somewhat sensational nature of the temple, it has also become something of a tourist attraction; however when we visited the temple we only noted one other western tourist walking among the Hindu worshippers and rats.

(a wire over the courtyard protects the rats from raptors)

(the interior of the temple)

(a lucky white rat)

Visiting the temple

Most tourists visit the temple as a half-day trip from Bikaner, the nearest large city to Deshnok. We had a guide and driver for the day and our journey to Deshnok was included. As with all Hindu temples, visitors must remove their shoes before entering. It is allowed to wear socks and this is recommended. The temple floor is not filthy, but you do run the risk of accidentally stepping on some rat droppings as you tour the temple and courtyard.

Lucky rats

It is said that it is good luck to see a white rat at Karni Mata, and during our visit there were plenty of young men who offered to find a white rat for us. It is also good luck when a rat runs over your foot. This is easy to accomplish; there are some heavy rat-traffic areas along walls between rooms, and if a foot is placed in the path, it will get some rat prints on it.

(The rats drank from large saucers of milk)

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